Welsh mistake Scottish Youth Group as Asylum Seekers

A reform MP made a similar mistake last week and was virtually hung drawn and quartered on here.

Just goes to show that mistakes can happen to anyone, anywhere.

Not as I read it on BBC and SKY news, they were seen in a minibus and as Asian/African were assumed to be asylum seekers, video poster online, comments were made, it’s being investigated as a racist incident.
The majority were children from all over the UK.

The malevolent power of social media was at work again from what I’ve read. Those poor young people, I really hope those involved in Newbridge are hanging their heads in shame.

Well according to the Times they were mis-identified because they were staying at a camp site for migrants!!!

I thought it’s a Scout Csmp

Meanwhile, some facts (according to Sky News):

Residents of a south Wales town are under investigation after they mistook a youth group visiting a summer camp for an influx of asylum seekers.

Gwent Police has launched a probe into "inappropriate and offensive" comments made online after a video was shared on Facebook last week claiming to show illegal immigrants in Newbridge.

However, the bus contained members of a charitable youth group from across the UK that had been enjoying a trip to CRAI Scout Activity Park.

The visitors, some of which were from Scotland, included children, families, teenagers, and group leaders.

The video, which also alleged police were guarding the site, has since been deleted.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Jason White said: "The video was removed but some of the posts contained inappropriate and offensive language and enquiries into the nature of the posts are ongoing.

"While that work takes place, there are some mistruths circulating on social media which we'd like to correct.

"The group featured in the video were visiting from another part of the country to attend a frequently used Scout camp in Newbridge and many of the people in the video are children.

"The site is not used to house anyone on a permanent basis. The site is used by our dog handlers to train our police dogs when not used for visits and our officers are not guarding the location.

"So, with that in mind, we're asking everyone to consider the tone and sentiment of their language but also for people to think twice about what they might read online and look for trusted voices within our communities."

Please note it was not because they couldn't be understood.
They were not staying at a camp site for migrants.

Even if they were, there was no reason to post offensive comments online.

Simply appalling.

I do not condone this behaviour, unfortunately it shows that asylum seekers are an issue with sections of the electorate.

GrannyGravy13

I do not condone this behaviour, unfortunately it shows that asylum seekers are an issue with sections of the electorate.

Apparently, the group had black/brown skin. It also shows how inherently racist and bigoted some people are. They made the assumption black skin = asylum seeker = child abuser.

Reform have hopes for that area .

'Mistakes can happen'! Seriously, that's an excuse? Call it what it is blatant racism.

Maremia

'Mistakes can happen'! Seriously, that's an excuse? Call it what it is blatant racism.

My first post was in response to the OP there was no mention of the ethnicity of these youngsters.

Smileless2012

Well according to the Times they were mis-identified because they were staying at a camp site for migrants!!!

Wait fir the correction tomorrow in tiny print at the bottom of page 27.

Anniebach

Reform have hopes for that area .

If everybody is the same (which I doubt), Reform will win hands down. It doesn't take much to create hysterical levels of hatred.

GrannyGravy13

Maremia

'Mistakes can happen'! Seriously, that's an excuse? Call it what it is blatant racism.

My first post was in response to the OP there was no mention of the ethnicity of these youngsters.

Why do you think it's being regarded as a "racially aggravated" incident?

Anniebach

I thought it’s a Scout Csmp

It is a Scout Activity camp.

I thought they were speaking with such strong Scottish accents they were thought to be foreigners.
However, there is absolutely no excuse for abuse.

Let's hope they don't hold a World Scout Jamboree there 😯

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

Maremia

'Mistakes can happen'! Seriously, that's an excuse? Call it what it is blatant racism.

My first post was in response to the OP there was no mention of the ethnicity of these youngsters.

Why do you think it's being regarded as a "racially aggravated" incident?

I was responded to the OP

No mention of a racially aggravated incident in that, just locals not understanding their accents

I haven’t seen those news item online or on the news, I can only comment on posts on this thread.

My first post was before growstuffs informative one.

My next post of 16.15.26 I say that I do not condone their behaviour.

Whatever I or anyone else think I stand by my comment that asylum seekers are an issue with some sections of the electorate

Here is the story as covered by Wales Online.
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/camping-teens-hit-racially-targeted-32248847
In summary, the youngsters were seen on a bus, the police had been seen at the scout camp earlier for unrelated dog handling training, and local scandal mongers misinterpreted, and posted inflammatory things on social media. I hope they get the book thrown at them.

According to the '21 census, 13.8% of us identify as asian, British asian, african british african or british afro-carribean. That's roughly one in 7.

I say this because it is such a huge leap from seeing a minibus with a minority of white people, to "minibus of asylum seekers",that it's hard to believe anyone who wasn't racist would make that assumption.

I accept that the police using the site to train their dogs may have helped two & two to make six.But still.

Thank you for the link Casdon

I expect that those responsible for any hate speech online will be prosecuted.

Residents in Wales

So it was just a few people posting bigoted untruths on social media and the whole area, indeed people of Wales, get labelled as racist.

Welsh mistake Scottish Youth Group as Asylum Seekers

The heading itself is quite inflammatory!

RosieandherMaw

Simply appalling.

When I first got with my DH, I use to have translate my mum & dads Glaswegian accent, & they both spoke with a soft accent.